I think I have the BLAHS

Hi Roxanne: you know that is what my therapist told me at my last meeting...and I just don't know how long this is going to last. It is so twisted! I am usually o****il I see other people eating junk food...out sight, so far has been out of mind..but when I see it or smell it, I want it! I still have a 16 year at the house and she still eats junk food and fast food which smells so good to me right now. Will it always feel this way? And it is like losing a really good friend, that was not such a good friend after all. I miss food, but I know the types and amounts I just to eat were not good for me at all. I am going to try and take time out and smell the roses and hope my body and mind adjust soon to this change I am going thru. Thanks again for your encouraging words! I will try to stop "partying" too (having my pity parties).

Oh, Stephanie, I meant to ask you what is "hibernation"? I mean I know what it is, but how does it relate to WLS? Oh, I know, my kids don't eat like I do, so they are able to eat chips and chocolate sometimes ( I don't allow it TOO much) and it's hard. But remember what you wrote a few weeks back about "The Ultimate Race"? We can do this!!

WOW...Thanks for reminding of the Ultimate Race! I am going to re read that today..cause i need it. And here is a definition of hibernation syndrome as it relates to WLS, but it says it should only last 4-6 weeks... HIBERNATION SYNDROME After WLS, you may be feeling tired and become depressed. When you are several weeks post op, and are either on a liquid diet or you are eating many fewer calories than you were pre op, this depression and inactivity can become more pronounced. All you want to do is sleep, you may have crying spells, you may begin to believe that the surgery was a mistake, or you may think 'what in the world have I done to myself? All these feelings are completely normal and, to a certain extent, are to be expected. The low number of calories you are eating produces what many of us call the 'hibernation syndrome' and your depression and feelings of despair,are a direct result. During the weeks immediately following surgery, our body starts to notice that we are not taking in enough calories. It doesn't know we've had WLS, or that it's the year 2000. Our body is missing food, thinks this is a famine, and struggles to conserve our energy. The human body reacts like it always has in a famine; it makes us depressed--so we don't have the motivation to do anything, and it makes us tired--so we don't have the energy to do anything. In this way, we will conserve as many calories as possible and remain alive. You can see the practical value of this as our bodies have been living through famines, snowstorms, and other periods of unstable food supply for centuries. This stage can last several weeks. Our discomfort is compounded as we are, at this same time, trying to recover from major surgery, adopt new eating habits, and deal with a liquid or soft diet. To get out of this stage, our body has to say to itself 'gee, this famine is lasting a bit too long. If I keep conserving my energy with inactivity, I will starve to death. I'd better use my last store of energy (the remaining fat and muscles in our body) to hunt up some food'. At this point, our body will switch from getting energy from food, to getting energy from our fat (and muscle too if we don't eat enough protein) and that is what we want. In order to deal with this difficult transition period, tell yourself that you're right on track; this is exactly what is normal and to be expected. Tell yourself that, in a few weeks, this will pass, and you will feel like a completely new person. We all seem to turn the corner about 4-6 weeks post op. Then, your mood will lighten and, with your weight loss starting to add up, you'll feel more positive and have a better outlook on life. Just keep telling yourself that you will not always feel this way! You WILL be back to feeling like your old self. Just give it time!

Oh yeah, I think my body has gone through that. Thanks Steph. Have a wonderful weekend!

Hey thanks for posting this. I had this very early out, but I wasn't sure what it was called. I warned both of my angelettes about this phase. I think some people can go through this at different stages. I sure hope that it passes soon and you are back to your springy/outgoing self. You are just such a wonderful inspiration to everyone. I am glad you felt comfortable enough to post and let us know you need us to help pull you through! You have been so active that maybe your body is just needing a rest. I know that some days I get this overwhelming tiredness that overcomes my body. I have found that taking an extra dose of my liquid B Complex truly helps the sluggish/tired feeling go away. Sometimes I just have to nap til it passes. But overall, it sounds like you have been very active like me, so our body is just not use to this overdrive we have been putting it in. I hope you have a great week! Lindy

Thanks for your kind and encouraging words Lindy! I will try adding an extra dose of my b12 and see if that helps. I had thought aobut it but never got around to doing it.

Stephanie, I hope you are feeling better today. The people on this board give lots of good encouragement. I go through cycles like that too mostly around my time of the month. That has always been a time when I just ate and ate - now I don't have that comfort and I have to deal with the cramps, mood swings and blahs with out my ole friend food. Not always fun to have to be tough. You're definitely not lazy and I agree your body probably needed the break. We have put our bodies through a lot of changes in the last 6 months and although the body is a miraculous creation - it takes time to all level out. Keep of the good work and be encouraged!

Thanks Marilyn! You guys really are a blessing. I really don't know how others make it thru with out having a strong support system, both on line and at home. I really appreciate you all!